Scan barcode
A review by novellearts
The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Five friends in high school make an oath which later gets put to the test when they go for a camping trip and find a staircase in the middle of the woods. One of them is curious enough to walk up that staircase and never returns, leading to the staircase disappearing. In twenty years, the staircase reappears and the group unites to try to find their lost friend.
This reminded me so much of Stephen King's It. A group of friends make a pact and are tied together for life, a tragedy strikes, and then one of them calls the rest back many years later to finish what was started. Even though The Staircase in the Woods reminded me of It, it still had its own mystery and unique twists.
I loved the diversity in each character's personality and how we got to see each of their struggles. This book really emphasized their internal struggles and forced the friends to face them head on. That being said, this book does contain mental illnesses and the struggles that arise within those illnesses. Please check the trigger warnings, as always, if that type of thing bothers you. There is some sensitive content.
The atmosphere in this book was great. It was creepy and mysterious. I enjoyed the writing too. The ending was maybe a little bit too rushed but besides that, it was a pretty good read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. All thoughts are my own.
This reminded me so much of Stephen King's It. A group of friends make a pact and are tied together for life, a tragedy strikes, and then one of them calls the rest back many years later to finish what was started. Even though The Staircase in the Woods reminded me of It, it still had its own mystery and unique twists.
I loved the diversity in each character's personality and how we got to see each of their struggles. This book really emphasized their internal struggles and forced the friends to face them head on. That being said, this book does contain mental illnesses and the struggles that arise within those illnesses. Please check the trigger warnings, as always, if that type of thing bothers you. There is some sensitive content.
The atmosphere in this book was great. It was creepy and mysterious. I enjoyed the writing too. The ending was maybe a little bit too rushed but besides that, it was a pretty good read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. All thoughts are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail